Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Official Launch Thread

Im 12 or 13 hours in... Hands down the best acting in video games. Best screenplay... Period.

Not a perfect ten, but still excellent none the less.

 

This is my first game for the PS3 that wasn't a sports game so i wasn't sure if this was normal. The installs didn't really bother me because they were only about 2-3 minutes long.

 

Finished it last night. With i think a total of 18 hours. And i LOVED the game, but it still is not my favorite MGS that still goes to the first one.

 

Unfortunately, it's a necessity. MGS4 uses a dual-layer Blu-Ray disc, which means 50GB crammed into that one disc. Seek times would be absolutely ridiculous, and it's impractical to keep the disc spinning in such a slow-paced game.

As for having to install between acts as opposed to all at once, enough people were outraged at the initial 8 minute install as it is. I suspect the goal was to minimize MGS4's footprint for those who bought 20GB systems.

 

Escaping the Advent Palace was a pain in the ***.

 

Well... Some ACT4 stuff if anyone cares to discuss:

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Holy **** it took me forever to figure out VAMP. Not cool. Controlling REX was the coolest thing ever. RAY was a little too easy tho. Crazy plot twist with the whole Naomi thing. Great stuff.

 

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Same here, I think I must have "killed" him about 15 times and spend a lot of cash with Drebin to get more ammo until I figured how to finish him and yes, controlling REX was the ****!

The whole Act 4 was freakin amazing

 

Beat it. I wouldn't call it a disappointment, but I don't even think this is a game of the year candidate. Personally, for me, it won't even be in the discussion which is sad to say coming from a big time MGS fan. They really should have considered doing away with Snake. "Old Snake" killed the vibe for me from the very first scene. I think it would have been a better game focusing on Raiden.

I'll say one thing, though: Best graphics and screenplay I've ever seen in my life, and I don't think it'll even come close to being outdone in that aspect until Final Fantasy comes out. In a sense, that was actually the game's down fall - more cut scenes than game play, and once it gets to the game play, most of the tasks are borderline stupid and EVERY boss fight sucked tremendously. I was expecting a single player that would make me want to play it over eventually, but I can't picture myself ever playing through this game again.

On the flip side, the multiplayer is close to solid, but somewhat repetitive as hell. Anyone play?

 

This was a huge let down for me as well. In the old ones the boss fights were entertaining but this one the beauty and beast fights were lame

 

Old Snake is part of the game's commentary, and no one wanted to play MGS2 Redux. (Well, no one besides me, anyway. MGS2 is one of the best games ever made.)

I think you're exaggerating here. Play time definitely outweighed the cutscenes.

Every multiplayer game is repetitive.

 

It isn't the end. The Metal Gear series is continuing. There just won't be any involvement from Solid Snake; his story is over, the character is retired. The next Metal Gear game won't be Metal Gear Solid.

I wonder if it's finally time for Metal Gear Raiden.

Metal Gear Raiden

 

So how long would you say the game is excluding cutscenes?

 

It seriously depends on how you play.

 

Yes, but not at the same rate of time. Resistance was fresh for about 5-6 months, CoD4 lasted me like a month or two, and MGSO.........we'll see. Probably a month tops. It's already getting boring and I haven't even played more than a few honors.

Btw, what the hell is up with this cheap company? After you customize your character the first time, you can NEVER change accessories/clothing or even the color of your accessories/clothing again. WTF?

 

I'd be all for Metal Gear Raiden. He's been my favorite character for a while.

However,

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It seems to me like they closed all loose ends with his character at the end.

 

Just beat it amazing story great end to a fantastic series.

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I knew the moment they announced mgs4 big boss was still alive. It was a awesome ending!

Just some story speculation from me..

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First I do hope the continue the metal gear series. Solid is done and finished and did a fantastic job of ending it. So I wondered if any of the current characters will be next.

Right now I think best chance is it will be all new story and characters and only maybe a appearances from current set but I doubt any main roles.

Raiden was my vote for the next main man. Though the ending of mgs4 he got his body back, and has a kid so I don't think he will be a main character.

For some reason I get a feelling johnny could make main character because he looks very similar to snake, but hes far from a badass so I have my doubts. Though he is young in it and room to develop.

So I think if metal gear continues it will be all new story and characters with maybe appearances from select characters.

As for my thoughts on metal gear my only problem is you definitely feel like you watched a movie more than played a game. The game spots are fun but seem very short lived. Also a little more linear than I would of like but the ability to choose how you do a area helps make up for that. The fight between vamp and raiden I would of liked to watch but had to fight so didn't get to see really anything.

The boss battles I found pretty fun, I especially like the Rex vs Ray fight very cool. The ending fight with liquid ocelot was very cool also very hard to explain how it felt but it suited the end of the game well.

Overall imo one of the best games I have ever played. Mgs1 and this game are very close imo.

 

Beat it last night....

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I'm pretty sure I'm alone in feeling this way but what the hell. The ending was PERFECT when snake should have shot himself. Perfect ending while making a marter out of the legend called snake. BUUUUUT.... They did what I call "The MGS2 effect". For some reason, Kojima has to over complicate the end of the game for no apparent reason. All of the crap with Big Boss still being alive and Zero was simply story over kill.

Instead of being excited about the end (which I was until that point), I was just like, "come ****ing on". It was waaaaaaay over done for the mere joy of shocking the player.

On that note, the game was fantastic. There's times when the camera is annoying. But the cinematics are bar none the best ever. Voice acting (besides Snake talking to people on the Codec) was second to none (sorry Mass Effect).

Big thumbs up to the final battle with Solid and Liquid. Very movie like, and VERY cool. Big thumbs down to snake being virtually immortal. Let's see... He can barely stand in the airplane. He crawls through 200 of Microwaves. He get's his face POUNDED in by Liquid (I though for sure he was gonna die there), and still makes it to see Big Boss. *sigh*

All in all, great game and well worth $60. Not sure about replayability though. The online mode for me reminds me of GTA4's online mode. It's there... It's ok... But it's all done better in other games. But if it didn't have a multiplayer, gamers will complain. That's why I respect Bioshock.

 

About the ending mor...

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Actually Kojima had one ending already written the team voted it down and changed it to what it was now. What Kojima envisioned we never seen.

I agree with you on snake killing himself. I loved the ending but I think if snake would of actually ended his life would of made the better ending. When I thought he actually did it I was like wow.. Hes actually gone it was a sucky but cool feeling because you felt a legend go. A hero who was made for war that was no longer able to handle it.

I liked the big boss ending though. I felt it was a great ending to a great series. Not sure who the next main char will be if they continue it.

 

About a possible next Metal Gear game:

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I wouldn't count Raiden out just yet, yes his story after MGS4 makes him almost impossible for another game but I wouldn't be surprised at all if there's a prequel (before MGS4 and after MGS2) to see more of Raiden.

Remember, he was in charge of getting back Big Boss' body for Eva (that's gotta be a nice story fill with tons of action). He also saved Sunny somehow in the process. Also there's story to be told about him parting ways with Rose and becoming a Ninja/Cyborg. So I think if there's a next game there's a good chance it will be about all this stuff. Though it might not be exactly like MGS, more like a combination of MGS and Ninja Gaiden or something.

Also I too thought the minute I saw Akiba's face that he could actually be a main character for a next installment. Him looking like Snake and actually being a bad *** shooter makes him a good option as well.

 

i agree 110%

 

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Yea I agree with the raiden part. It seems they left room for a story there. Probably could make a few games out of it probably. So thats definitely a option.

Since like you said there is him after fight with solidus, then saving sunny, working with eva and getting his body. So there is plenty of room to work with there.

Another reason I think akiba / meryl could be is they are relatively young also a lot of age to work with.

Although I am not sure which to bet on if either at the moment.

 

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2008...d-4-guns-of-the-patriots-database-on-the-way/

Of course its already here and its pretty neat.

 

I absolutely loved this game. From beginning to end it was a gaming masterpiece with good humor thrown in.

 

Not all that impressed. This was my first MGS game, and although it was great in terms of storyline. A lot flew over my head, but it was none the less impressive.

I just got easily bored by the game play. It's extremely repetitive and I don't have the patience to crawl around. I don't see what the fuss is about, but that's just me... Hopefully Online is fun. I'm going to set it up sometime today.

 

The fuss is the unique mix of sneaking, action, character, plot, and overall creativity.

If you don't have the patience to sneak rather than shoot, you're playing the wrong game.

 

Possiblity for next metal gear game..

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Also didn't consider this but it is as likely as raiden and johnny. Big Boss prequal... Hes been alive all this time so he does have story that's open for telling.

Also some other possibilities I read. Sunny and that hispanic kid with Raidens kid. So that would be a distant future obviously.

 

and sneaking is highly encouraged although in the begining it can be tough to avoid a shootout.

 

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Agreed with the bolded before. That aspect was excellent. However, IMO, the game just gets repetitive in certain area's. Crawl, camo, crawl, fire .22 tranqs Or other silenced weapon), crawl, collect items.... continue till you reach the checkpoint.

Act 1- was meh. Didn't really enjoy it.

Act 2- Much better then 1, IMO and the story starts picking up. The cut w/Raiden and Vamp was incredible. Chase scene was a blast to. Boss battle was easy, but (for me) a good introduction.

Act 3- Awful. Following the resistance member was a total bore. I don't see how anyone could argue otherwise. Not fun in the least. Chase scene was amazing. Boss battle was stupid. The last scene of this act was great.

Act 4- This was good as well. Couple of easy boss battles, but pretty good overall. What pissed me off is the split screen between Ra/Vamp.... WTF gives with that? Another cool cut at the end.

Act 5 is awesome.

Overall, it's a solid game. Great in some area's, lackluster in others. Since I'm renting the game, I'm ok with that.

 

To each their own everyone has their own taste. For some reason people love halo and I find it boring and repetitive so I mean obviously everyone has their own taste.

As a huge lover of the metal gear games, I think every single one has been a masterpiece of game play and story. MGS4 didn't disappoint me in any way. I loved every second and will probably replay it tons of times for the unlocks.

 

I actually agree with you on all points

 

Every game is repetitive. The question is, what actions are you repeating? Mario jumps, Mega Man blasts, Cloud selects Fight from the menu, Master Chief shoots aliens. Again, if you have a problem with the basic premise of the game--evade detection--then it's just not for you. And that's fine, nothing is perfect, and nothing can appeal to everyone.

 

I have a question about MGS2. Since Raiden is the star of the game, is the format any different? Is he more of a ninja then soldier?

 

In the second game no he is not. He transforms after mgs2. He has some slightly different moves than snake but essentially the same.

 

I don't disagree.

You're missing my point. I don't have a problem with evading detection. But there's limited ways to do it (crawling, crouching, mostly crawling) it's not so unique as you suggested before. It lacks stealth variety and is one-dimensional in portions of act 1, some of two, and all of 3.

Also, if the game is about simply evading detection, what's the point of most of the weapons? I used my .22 tranq gun primarily, M4 custom sparingly, and the shotgun to kill beauty boss's. That was suppose to be a huge selling point. Customizing weapons and large variety. Why have an AK customized with a grenade launcher? Yeah, it's awesome, but it's not worth the trouble. The game contradicts itself and lacks a real identity. Instead of AK's with grenade launchers attached, more gadgets would be better and in line with the supposed stealth theme.

Why not throw in a good Sniper mission to get use out the gun? It fits the M.O. Why not join up with the rebels to launch an assault (yes, I know you can help the rebels, but i'm talking about fighting along side them and accomplishing a goal, then breaking off into stealth) to make use out of the heavy duty weapons?

ACT 4 is probably the best rounded and balanced of all. Plenty of opportunity for stealth, but also good amounts of action while being able to use a variety of weapons (another annoyance as stated before).

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Crying Wolf was fun, finally got an opportunity to use my damn sniper rifle. Vamp was a ***** until I figured out how to beat the stupid ****. Using the Rail gun was nice too. Running around in Rex and destroying Gekko was a blast. Simple and pointless, but satisfying. The cut scenes were wonderful too. As I said, the most rounded act.

I'm not saying it's a bad game. But I've read the reviews/previews, listened to all the hype, and I personally feel the game is overrated by the fans. People said this is a ps3 seller and although the game has it's moments (story, cinematics, music, etc...) where it outshines most games, I don't see revolutionary gameplay. It's very ecclectic and tedious in certain area's. (esp. Act 3). It's not challenging Zelda: OoT (best.game.ever.)

I'd say the game on a whole is a 9, cinematically a 10, and the gameplay is 8.5. If you disagree, that's fine. But I'm not wrong just because I find it to be a lesser game then some would advertise. It's just my opinion.